THE
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
JOHN
BUNYAN
Section
2
The
Gate - conversation with Good-Will - the Interpreter's House - Christian
entertained - the sights there shown him
THE
INTERPRETER
Then
he went on till he came
at the house of the INTERPRETER, where he knocked over and over; at last one
came to the door, and asked who was there?
Chr.
Sir, here is a traveller, who was bidden by an acquaintance of the good man
of the house to call here for my profit: I would therefore speak with the
master of the house. So he called for the master of the house; who, after a
little time, came to CHRISTIAN, and asked him what he would have?
Chr.
"Sir," said CHRISTIAN, "I am a man that has come from the
city of Destruction, and am going to the Mount Zion; and I was told by the
man that stands at the gate at the head of this way, that if I called here
you would show me excellent things, such as would be helpful to me in my
journey."
Interpreter.
Then said the INTERPRETER, "Come in; I will show thee that which will
be profitable to thee." So he commanded his man to light the candle,
and bade CHRISTIAN follow him: so he led him into a private room, and bade
his man open a door; the which when he had done, CHRISTIAN saw the picture
of a very grave person hung up against the wall; and this was the fashion of
it: it had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law
of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back; he stood
as if he pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head.
Chr.
Then said CHRISTIAN, "What means this?"
Inter.
The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand: he can beget children;
"For
though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the
gospel." 1 Corinthians 4:15
travail
in birth with children;
"My
little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in
you," Galatians
4:19
and
nurse them himself when they are born.
"I
have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to
bear it, neither yet now are ye able." 1 Corinthians 3:2
And
whereas thou seest him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books
in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips; it is to show thee that
his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also thou
seest him stand as if he pleaded with men: and whereas thou seest the world
as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head; that is to show
thee, that, slighting and despising the things that are present, for the
love that he hath to his Master's service, he is sure in the world that
comes next to have glory for his reward. Now, said the INTERPRETER, I have
showed thee this picture first, because the man whose picture this is, is
the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath
authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in
the way: wherefore, take good heed to what I have showed thee; and bear well
in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in thy journey thou meet with some
that pretend to lead thee aright, but their way goes down to death.
The
Pilgrim's Progress - Christian entertained
The
Pilgrim's Progress - Contents
